The French team triumphed over the Belgians to advance to the finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. France went ahead in the 51st minute from an Umtiti header.

Once France went ahead, they sat back, frustrating the attempts of the belgians. They only moved forward when there was a chance for a counter-attack.

This strategy worked as they were able to maintain that lone goal lead to the end of the match.

After the match, the Belgian coach, Roberto Martinez, said “It was a very tight game, there were not many big moments that were going to decide the game. The difference between the defeat or winning was down to one dead-ball situation, that’s how close the game was.

“We have to give a lot of credit to the way France defended, even having certain attacking players defending very deep and giving us a lot of respect in that way. We couldn’t find the little bit of magic in front of goal or a little bit of luck at times.

“But if you’re going to lose a game, I’m so proud of the players – you lose with a lot of effort, giving everything you’ve got, driving until the last second. You have to accept it, congratulate France and wish them well for the Final.”

On his part the ecstatic French coach Didier Deschamps, said “Their progress is huge. The players today are going to be even stronger in two years’ time and in four years’ time but today they are already competitive. We don’t do everything right but of course there is a progression.

“I’m very proud of them, I’m very proud of their mentality as well because I know it’s not just that you are playing at a high level that you are going to score goals but with our state of mind we can climb mountains and that’s what we’ve done so far.”

France will now take on the winner between England and Croatia in the finals on the 15th of July at the Luzhniki Stadium Moscow.